12th March 1953, Louisa and her third husband
Alfred took job's as domestic servants for the 87 year
old spinster, Sarah Ricketts, It would seem that Louisa, who had
already served time for fraud had no intention of
working too hard for her new employer. Mrs. Ricketts
owned a very nice bungalow in Blackpool, and Louisa was
heard saying that she was to inherit a bungalow.

9th April 1953,
Louisa asked a local doctor to certify Mrs Ricketts was
of sound mind. This he did, Louisa administered rat
poison to her beloved jam.

14th April 1953, Mrs
Ricketts was found dead, suspicion was on the
Merrifield's and a post mortem was done, The rat poison
Rodine was found in her system, the couple were duly
arrested.

20th July 1953, At
Manchester Assizes Louisa was found guilty, husband
Alfred was acquitted due to lack of evidence. He was
released and inherited a half-share in the late Mrs.
Ricketts' bungalow. He died, aged 80, in 1962.

Friday 18th September
1953, Louisa was hanged, the last woman ever to be
hanged at Manchester's Strangeways prison, by
executioner Albert Pierrepoint